KINESIOL 4SS3 Chapter article summary: KINESIOL 4SS3 Midterm: Beurskens-Bock-2013
27 May 2016
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Influence of different walking conditions on dual-task performances in young and older persons. Purpose: to test whether there are age-related deficits of dual-task walking in young vs. older adult, and whether there is a difference while performing secondary tasks that require continuous visual processing or fine motor control. Overall results: results showed that the age related increase of dtc is substantially larger with the visually demanding than with the motor-demanding task, more so when walking on a narrow or obstacled path. Thus, the higher visual demand of those conditions accentuates the age-related deficits in coordinating them with a visual non-walking task. Gait changes as we get older: stride-time, stride-time variability, and double-support time increase, while walking speed, step-length, and step-height decrease. Suggests that the risk of falling increases when a person is engaged in walking and concurrently handling another activity, e. g. , watch street signs or navigate around a crowded environment.
